If you’re a regular reader of my posts, you know that I am a huge fan of my Dell Studio XPS 16 laptop. It’s one of the best constructed, most powerful laptops in my inventory and has served as my main demo box for the last several months. That’s why I’m so excited to see the next generation of XPS laptops launch today.
Dell’s new XPS lineup comes in 14, 15 and 17 inch models, all of which are 3D TV ready. That means that when you connect them to a 3D capable TV using the included 3DTV software from NVIDIA, you can play hundreds of 3G games, watch 3D TV, and even play 3D Blu-Ray movies right out of the box.
To couple that awesome video, Dell is including JBL certified speakers with new Waves MaxxAudio 3 processing technology, which means those movies you’re watching and games you’re playing will sound as good as they look. Dell has really been investing in amping up the audio on their laptops – the Muse has speakers that can shake my office – and this is a welcome upgrade.
The new XPS lineup has one other feature that I’m really looking forward to trying out – the first ever built-in webcam that support HD Video Streaming. That means that you can use Windows Live Messenger to video chat in HD without connecting an external webcam. Pretty awesome, and something that I’ve been hoping I’d see in a laptop for a while.
Aside from the stuff I just mentioned, the new XPS lineup has specs that you’d expect to see from a laptop of this caliber –a nice selection of Core i5 and i7 processors to choose from, NVIDIA GeForce 400 GPU with Optimus, and massive hard drives. And, like most of their consumer laptops, you can personalize your XPS with Dell Design Studio.
Interested? You can get your XPS directly from dell.com today. Pricing starts at $899 for the XPS 14, $849 for the XPS 15, and $949 for the XPS 17.
I have a Dell XPS coming to me now direct from Dell, so keep an eye out for my hands on post.
Have a question about these new Dells or any other PC? Post a comment, hit me on Twitter, or Ask Ben Anything via email. Your question might appear in my monthly Ask Ben Anything Q&A column!
You are right on about the studio xps 16. I have one, and I have put it through hell. It still runs perfect. . I'll be looking forward to your post!
I especially appreciate the HD 720p webcam and option for a backlit keyboard. I do wish they paid abit more attention to weight.
For me, I use a large a second large monitor (extended desktop mode) and I'm looking foward to the next generation of tablets/slates that really make this configuration sing. I prefer not to look at a notebook keyboard when I have it configured this way and using a wireless keyboard and mouse.
Is it just me,or does the hardware design look cheap and bulky on the new XPS? I've got a XPS M1330 and it is a far better design than the new XPS. If I had to replace my XPS, this new design might push me to Apple.
I don't really care about 3D TV until the glasses can be ditched.
I have to agree with TheFrameGuy, this design doesn't look quite as nice as the XPS and even better were the Studio XPS models. Though maybe it'll look better in person, and the speakers would be a nice upgrade.
Frankly, I'd like to see these things with multi-touch displays. Every now and then there's an operation that would just be easier if I could directly manipulate the screen directly, and I think Dell would be wise to offer these on more of their products. I'd also like to see Dell do convertible laptops, though not necessarily in the XPS line.